Wednesday, March 24, 2010

ZOOOM, I'm outta here! Off to Toronto, and I won't be back until Monday! ha ha, take THAT, Internet!
But I am not entirely callous, no. Here is one final offering, and may we meet again in that fabled realm... of next week.

Animal Collective - Daily Routine (Phaseone Remix): Phaseone's album White Collar Crime is a delight. Some of the ways he flips tracks is just so perfectly spiced and diced. His production is deep, but comes off as a less-harsh El-P behind the keys. This track is a gem amongst riches, providing the perfect bass pulse that Animal Collective now know they need.

B. Rich - We Ball Harder (DZ's Spy Harder Remix): Local boy does right. Now the hottest producer to emerge from Ottawa, he just keeps putting out the dubstep goodness. And really, B. Rich isn't exactly a producer that ever needs any help, so DZ really brings his A game to this one. I'm kind of sick of the pulsing+slamming dubstep as of late, so it's great to get back to the 70 bpm framework and re-engage the essentials of what makes a stepper break good.

Balmorhea - Bowsprit: A slow building instrumental from the 2009 album "Constellations".

Bent - Always: Bent have always kind of been on the periphery of the electronica bins, and occassionally produce some stupendously happy fun stuff. I had missed this first time around, but this fabulous track is taken from the Best Of Bent compilation, released 2009. For fans of Hint, Blockhead, Husky Rescue, Mowgli, etc.

Bibio - Jealous Of Roses (Pivot Remix): This is from the Warp: 2010 label sampler, which reveals a few exciting things for the hallowed label, and a few mis-starts too. I've been pretty hyper-critical of Bibio before, but I hope this remix is pointing to something a bit more exciting than their sophomore slump. This is organic-feeling downtempo pop the way I like it.

Fanfarlo - Ghosts: Another fabulous track from their album Reservoir, stealing poppy bits of from Arcade Fire and oh who the fuck cares? It's a great song.

Felt - Ghost Dance DeluxeFelt - Give It Up: Third time's a charm? No one really expected much from "Felt 3: A Tribute To Rosie Perez" but well, here it is, and there's some great stuff on it. Probably my favourite appearance from Slug in a while, but maybe it's just the lifted Human Beat Box sample tugging at my heart strings... But maybe I find love songs to ghost women kinda sexy.

Ola Podrida - DnkeyOla Podrida - We All Radiant: Their 2009 album "Belly of the Lion" is subtle. So subtle I almost passed over it, even after a few listens. But it slowly sinks in to you. This is more reserved folk rock, focusing more on the standard structures instead of reinventing itself and trying to be overly clever. Highly recommended for fans of Iron & Wine, Bonny Prince Billy and Califone.

Thao with the Get Down Stay Down - Goodbye Good Luck: I've posted a bunch of Thao before, but oh Know Better Learn Faster is SUCH a grand album, and this song has just been ping-ponging in my head all day.

The Bird and the Bee - I Can't Go For That (Hall & Oates cover)The Bird and the Bee - One On One (Hall & Oates cover): "Interpreting The Masters Volume 1: A Tribute To Daryl Hall and John Oates" is a the most explicit title possible for this project. Did you just wet yourself or cringe? If it was the latter, just skip this. If it was the former, you're in luck! An entire album of Hall & Oates classics covered by the sultry The Bird And The Bee. Listening to it all, you truly realize that behind the mustaches, there was some truly powerful pop punch.

Themselves & Why - Canada: It starts slow, builds slow, the lyrics kind flowing out in a stagnant nursery-rhyme delivery. But it's building. The xylophone catches you a tad off guard. But by the time the chorus hits, it's all over and you're sucked in to a song that 60 seconds ago you were sure you were going to hate. Good job, hypothetical you.

Todd Edwards - Never Far From You: It's always good luck when we end on a bouncey note! I love some chopped vox, and oh those steppy garage snares delight. This should dance you through the weekend. Until next time.